Writer: Bill Lawrence
Director: Andy Cadiff

Episode Length: 21:56
Guest Stars:

Rating:# million viewers rating share

Rating: TV-PG

First Broadcast: September 22, 1997

Storyline #1: Mike Gets a Divorce
The Mayor hires Mike to take care of his divorce procedings so that there won't be any lawyers trying to make a career out of the case. Mike balks at first, until he meets opposing counsel, the beautiful Miss Laurie Parres. Mike is smitten. He charms and flirts. Laurie is attracted but maintains that their relationship must remain professional until the divorce is over. Knowing Mike as we do, he proceeds to meet her at dinner to discuss the case, but tries to turn it into a date, complete with wine and violins. Laurie, taken aback, claims she has been going easy on Mike, the not-very-often practicing lawyer, and proceeds to play harball with the Mayor, even going so far as to take The Mayor's portrait of his mother. Mike gets even though after he brushes up on the law a little. Ms. Winston is stuck without summer clothes and must return much of The Mayor's property. After a brief fight, Mike confesses he's sorry he screwed things up and asks for another shot because Laurie "... knocks him to the moon." Laurie, obviously stunned by his speech, comes back to make up, but leaves shortly thereafter convinced that Mike was trying to "spin" her into believing him.

Storyline #2: Paul shows Commitment
After returning with the Mayor from their respite in Miami, Mike claims the Mayor went to Miami because a friend was mentally ill. When Paul admits he went to Miami, the press begin to believe Paul's gone nuts. Mike arranges for a psychiatrist to examine Paul and give him a clean bill of mental health. But before his appointment, Claudia comes in and breaks up with Paul for running out on her. Paul, overcome with grief, performs badly at the examination and is committed to the nut house. After a short stay, the matter is resolved and Paul is sent away with some anti-depressants. However, Mike mistakes them for asprin and makes a fool of himself at a press conference, getting the Mayor and Paul out of the news.

Storyline #3: A Room with a View
It seems that Carter is offended by some of his new neighbors. According to Carter, they are constantly having sex in public (or at least his apartment's) view. At first, the staff dismiss it as Carter being "heterophobic." However, the Staff visits Carter's new place and agree that the neighbors are simply too sick for anyone's taste; except of course for Stuart.

Review: Paul Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

Overall, a brand-new beginning. And in more ways than one. The first thing you notice in the show is that Nikki is much more glammed up than she was last year. Is she going to become more of a sexpot? Do the producers feel they have to doll her up to appeal to all the guys out there? My answer is yes to both. I'm sure that since Connie Britton is now the lead female, she'll get much more on-air romance time.

The next big change came with the opening credits. Last year, as you recall, the opening consisted of a manhole spinning to a stop that was accompanied by a witty and different sound for each episode. Now, there is an opening montage of cast members along with some sights from New York with the Spin Doctors providing the background theme. (get it? Spin Doctors. Spin City.) I'm not sure which one I like more yet. The manhole / sound opening changed every week, which kept it fresh. However, the new opening is more eye-catching and upbeat.

Next up on the suprises is that Janelle is now listed as a full-time cast member. I'm glad to see Victoria Dillard get credit, since it seemed like she was on the show almost every week last year. I certainly hope that her new status will allow her to actually be used, and not just given throwaway lines like last year

As for the episode itself, I mostly enjoyed it, although it certainly was not the same show as last year. For instance, there was much more reliance on physical comedy than usual. (Mike fumbling with gum and the remote, Mike playing golf, Paul eating his bracelet, Mike drawing on his chest). Don't get me wrong. I think Michael J. Fox is an outstanding physical comedian. However, this show relied more on witty characters and political situations last year. I hop that more of it is in store for the rest of the year.

Wow, 4 paragraphs and I haven't even mentioned Mikes's girlfriend of the week yet. According to ABC reports, Paula Marshall, the actress who plays Laurie, is due to appear in a few more episodes this season. I guess it's okay: she and Fox seem to have genuine chemistry. And I loved when she walked out on him after he was caught "spinning" his performance at the press conference. Mike's honesty is a topic I thought should have come up a long time ago, and I'm glad to see that the writers are acknowledging that Mike has more than one side to him. Well, that looks like more than enough analysis for one episode. See you next week!

Rating [5 pt. scale]: 4.0

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